First Nba Player To Get 100 Million Dollar Contract
When we talk about the highest-paid athletes in the world, basketball players often come to mind. With the popularity of the NBA, it's no surprise that basketball players have some of the biggest contracts in sports history. But who was the first NBA player to get a $100 million contract? Let's take a look.
Michael Jordan's $30 Million Contract
Before we get into the first $100 million contract, let's take a look at the highest-paid player of his time - Michael Jordan. In 1996, Jordan signed a one-year, $30 million contract with the Chicago Bulls, making him the highest-paid player in NBA history at the time.
Jordan's success on the court, combined with his endorsements and merchandise deals, made him one of the wealthiest athletes of all time. But even Jordan didn't receive a $100 million contract during his prime.
Shaquille O'Neal's $120 Million Contract
The first NBA player to receive a $100 million contract was Shaquille O'Neal. In 1996, O'Neal signed a seven-year, $120 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. This was a groundbreaking contract at the time, making O'Neal the highest-paid athlete in the NBA.
O'Neal's contract with the Lakers was well-deserved. He had already established himself as one of the most dominant players in the league, and his success with the Lakers only solidified his status as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Kevin Garnett's $126 Million Contract
Shaquille O'Neal may have been the first NBA player to get a $100 million contract, but he wasn't the only one. In 1998, Kevin Garnett signed a six-year, $126 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Garnett's contract was the largest in NBA history at the time, and it was well-deserved. Garnett was one of the best players in the league, and he had been with the Timberwolves for several years, helping to turn the team into a playoff contender.
Kobe Bryant's $136 Million Contract
Kobe Bryant is another basketball legend who received a massive contract in the early 2000s. In 2004, Bryant signed a seven-year, $136 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant was already one of the best players in the league when he signed this contract, and he went on to lead the Lakers to several championships in the following years. His success on the court, combined with his endorsements and merchandise deals, made him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.
LeBron James' $153 Million Contract
The most recent NBA player to receive a $100 million contract is LeBron James. In 2016, James signed a three-year, $100 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
James has been one of the best players in the league for over a decade, and his success on the court has made him one of the wealthiest athletes in the world. In addition to his massive contract, James also has a number of endorsements and merchandise deals that contribute to his wealth.
Conclusion
Shaquille O'Neal may have been the first NBA player to receive a $100 million contract, but he certainly wasn't the last. Over the years, several other players have received massive contracts that have made them some of the wealthiest athletes in the world. With the popularity of the NBA and the amount of money involved in the sport, it's likely that we'll continue to see basketball players receive huge contracts for years to come.